Battery Hunter (2)

Battery Hunter (2) (1904-1945) - Battery Hunter (2) was a reinforced concrete, Endicott Period 12 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Stark, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The battery was named in G.O. 194, 27 Dec 1904, after Major General David Hunter, U.S. Volunteers (colonel, 6th U.S. Cavalry), who served with distinction during the U.S. Civil War, and who died 2 Feb 1886. Battery construction started in 1901, was completed in 1904 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 31 Dec 1904 at a cost of $ 109,000.00. Deactivated in 1945. Battery Hunter Battery Hunter Gun Emplacement #2 Endicott Period (1890-1910) Part of the Harbor Defense of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Originally built as an Endicott Period concrete coastal gun battery with two 12" M1895MI guns mounted on M1897 Disappearing carriages. This was a two story battery with the guns located on the upper level and the magazines below. Shells were moved from the magazine level to the gun loading platform by two Taylor-Raymond back delivery shell hoists. No powder hoists were provided. The shell hoists were modified for the newer long point shells. Both disappearing carriages were equipped with retraction motors. Electrical power was furnished by the emplacement power plant which also provided power for other batteries. Battery Hunter (2) Armament (edit list) Empl No Caliber Type Barrel Length Model Serial No Manufacturer Carriage Service Dates Notes 1 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895 39 Watervliet Disappearing, M1897, #35, Midvale 1904-1945 See note 1 2 12" Rifle 442.56" M1895MI 5 Bethlehem Disappearing, M1897, #34, Midvale 1904-1945 See note 1 Source: RCW Form 1, 20 Oct 1935, RCB ?, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 148-149 Note 1: Guns transferred to Watervliet 23 Feb 1945, carriages ordered scrapped 22 Jan 1945. CDSG Gun Card Collection from NARA Battery Hunter Plan World War I (1917-1918) The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere. The guns of Battery Hunter were not affected by the World War I redistribution or the following 1920 disarmament program. World War II (1941-1945) Battery Hunter was a part of the Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth plan throughout most of World War II but before the war ended the battery was declared surplus on 18 Jan 1945. Both guns were transferred to Watervliet on 23 Feb 1945 and both carriages were ordered scrapped on 22 Jan 1945. Current Status Part of Fort Stark State Historic Site, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. No period guns or mounts in place. Location: Fort Stark State Historic Site, Jerry's Point, New Castle Island, Rockingham County, New Hampshire Maps & Images Lat: 43.057099 Long: -70.712959 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: Gun #1= 40.738', Gun #2= 40.700' Sources: U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project, Harbor Defenses of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (CCA-P-PCC), 1945, CDSG Links: CDSG Visited: 7 Jun 2012 Battery Hunter (2) Picture Gallery Click on the picture to see a larger version. Contribute additional pictures - the more the better!